Crate



May 22, 1934. w. c. MILLER CRATE Filed Jan. 18, 1952 Patented May 22, 1934 NETED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application January 18 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a crate.

An object of the invention is to provide a crate specially designed for use in packing fruits, vegetables and other objects of a similar nature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a crate of the character described formed of slats connected together in a novel manner to the end that the crate may be readily collapsed so that a number of crates may be packed to occupy a minimum amount of space when it is desired to reship or store the crates.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision or a crate of the character described, which may be cheaply produced and is Very light yet strong and durable and which may readily be assembled in position for use, or collapsed for storage or shipment.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, arrangement of parts and use, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 shows a side View of the crate as assembled for use and shown partly in section.

Figure 2 shows an end View, thereof.

Figure 3 shows the crate in collapsed form, and

Figure 4 shows a bottom edge View thereof.

In the drawing the numeral 1 designates the body of the crate as a whole, which is made up of spaced slats 2, preferably formed of wood or other light material. At the ends of the slats are the flexible metal strips 3, 3 which are secured to the slats by the nails 4. These nails are driven through the strips 3 and through the slats with their heads clamping the strips closely against said slats. The nails for securing the bottom strip in place are preferably of a special form, having the head extensions 5 whose outer ends maybe enlarged as shown.

Fastened to the opposite sides of the slats from the strips 3, are the spaced tie members 6, 6, preferably of wire. These tie members may be secured to the slats by suitable staples as '7. The ends of the tie members are formed into loops forming the eyes 8, 8 which project beyond the adjacent slats.

When it is desired to erect the crate for use the unit, formed of the slats assembled as above described, is brought into a cylindrical shape as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the eyes 8 of the tie members 6 are brought into registration and a tie rod 12 is then inserted through said registering eyes. This rod has a head at one end and its other end may be bent over forming a hook 13 to prevent its accidental displacement. The circular lower head 10 may then be inserted into place with its margin resting on the inwardly eX- tending projections 5 at the corresponding end 1932, Serial N0. 587,208

of the crate and the crate may then be filled with its contents. At the top of the crate, at one side, some of the nails also have the projections 5 and when the crate is filled the upper circular head 11 may be inserted with one margin underneath the inwardly extending projections 5 at that end of the crate. The enlarged heads at the ends of the extensions 5 will engage in the material of the heads 10, 11 and will assist in preventing the ends of the slats from spreading. l

A wire 14 may be looped around opposite slats on the outside of the end 11 and tied as illustrated in Figure 2 across the other margin of the head l1 to hold said head securely in place.

When it is desired to collapse the crate the tie rod l2 may be removed and the crate may be collapsed in an obvious manner and packed for storage or shipment.

The drawing and description disclose what is now considered to be a preferred forni of the invention by way of illustration only while the broad principle of the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A crate formed of spaced slats, exible straps adjacent the ends of the slats, nails through said straps and slats, said nails having spaced enlarged heads on their inner ends, one head of each nail forming means for securing the straps and slats together, heads within the crate which rest against the inner sides of the inwardly projecting ends of the nails, the other head of each nail engaging in the material of the corresponding crate head and forming retaining means for said corresponding head of the crate and assisting in preventing the corresponding ends of the slats froml spreading.

2. In a crate formed of spaced slats, a flexible strap around one end of the crate, nails through said strap and slats, said nails having spaced, enlarged heads on their inner ends, one head of each nail serving to clamp the strap against the corresponding slat and the other heads of the nails being spaced inwardly from said strap, a crate head Within the crate which rests against the inner sides of said inwardly spaced nail heads, said last mentioned nail heads engaging in the material of the crate head and forming retaining means for said crate head and assisting in preventing the slats from spreading.

WILLIAM C. MILLER. 

